The Steelers 2025 Draft Was All About Character Building

The 2025 NFL draft is a wrap, and the Pittsburgh Steelers selected a total of 7 players to join the black and gold this season. In case you missed the draft, here is a quick recap of their selections:

Round 1: Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
Round 3: Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa
Round 4: Jack Sawyer, EDGE, Ohio State
Round 5: Yahya Black, DT, Iowa
Round 6: Will Howard, QB, Ohio State
Round 7: Carson Bruener, LB, Washington
Round 7: Donte Kent, DB, Central Michigan

Overall, while this may not have been the flashy draft some fans were hoping for, I am very content with Pittsburgh’s selections. I feel like they addressed positions of need, and they did not reach. However, a thorough breakdown of each pick isn’t the objective of this article.

There are tons of articles and podcasts out there breaking down the Xs and Os of each player, and there will be many more to come. What I want to talk today about goes beyond the Xs and Os. The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted talented players, but they also drafted young men with incredible character. Character elevates people in all professions, regardless of their skill level. In fact, I might even argue that character and attitude are just as important as talent and skill. These guys have it in spades, and I want to see more character guys in the Steelers locker room. While their skillsets were unbelievable, players with questionable attitudes have plagued the Steelers for years now. Le’Veon Bell, Antonio Brown, Diontae Johnson, and George Pickens come to mind. They are all great athletes. But did their attitudes at times become a detriment to the team? Perhaps. These players all came with outside distractions that ultimately (aside from Pickens) played a role in their exits from Pittsburgh.

I want to see the Steelers make a deep playoff run and return to the Super Bowl. I want them to form a great team that people are talking about decades later. I want not only talent on the roster, but I want men who display great character, great leadership qualities, and put the team above themselves. Perhaps a few men taken this past weekend can help rebuild this type of culture in Pittsburgh and get them back to winning in the postseason.

Let’s start with Derrick Harmon. Harmon grew up in Detroit, Michigan. His mother had serious health issues throughout Derrick’s childhood, having multiple brain surgeries. In his freshman year at Michigan State, Derrick’s mother suffered a stroke and became paralyzed on her left side. Selflessly, the young man used his NIL money to purchase his mom a wheelchair-accessible vehicle. After three years at Michigan State, Derrick’s mom told him it was time to do something for himself; up to that point, every decision Derrick had made featured her as a top priority. Derrick listened to his mom and made a decision to better himself. He transferred to the University of Oregon for his senior year, and this proved to be a great move for his career. Harmon’s skillset was utilized in a different way at Oregon, and he shot up draft boards. Ultimately, the Steelers selected Harmon 21st overall. During a time that should have been a great celebration with his family and friends, Harmon immediately drove to the hospital after he was drafted to visit his mom. She was on life support and was very ill. He was able to tell her he was drafted, and she passed away shortly after.

First of all, I want to offer my condolences to Derrick. I cannot imagine what he is going through right now, and I, along with many others in Steeler Nation, are thinking of him during this difficult time. While this situation is absolutely heartbreaking, I think Derrick Harmon’s actions and decisions over the past several years speak volumes about the type of man he is. There are not many young adults who would spend their first real paycheck to help their sick mom. He did. He chose to start his college career at Michigan State, close to home, so he could be close to his mom. On the biggest night of his life when he was drafted to the NFL, he skipped the celebrations and all the excitement to make sure his mom knew he had been drafted and where he was headed. And his ability to work hard and improve on the football field despite what he was facing off the field? That’s incredible. I think this guy is destined for some amount of success in the NFL, and I think a large part of that has to do with his character and mentality. I’m looking forward to watching him grow as a player over the next few years.

Next up is Jack Sawyer. Sawyer was a leader for the Buckeyes as they marched their way to a national championship, so he knows how to win. That’s important. As Mike Tomlin would say, he knows what’s required. What might be a little less known is Sawyer’s ties to the late Jack B. Sawyer. Jack B. Sawyer was a young Ohio State fan who battled childhood cancer. He and OSU Sawyer were connected through a fan letter he wrote. From there, the two Jacks kept in touch. OSU Sawyer encouraged Jack B. Sawyer as he continued the fight that ultimately claimed his life. Jack B. Sawyer passed away in November 2023. Since then, OSU Sawyer has written “JBSStrong” on his wristband before every game in honor of a special fan. This is such a classy move from OSU Jack Sawyer. I am proud as a Steelers fan to have him wearing black and gold this coming season.

Another gentleman with great character is 6th round draft pick Will Howard. Howard was yet another leader on the national champion Ohio State Buckeyes squad this past season. Now, he is a national champion. However, prior to his run with Ohio State, Howard spent several years at Kansas State. A native of Pennsylvania, Howard dreamed of playing for the Penn State Nittany Lions one day. Unfortunately, Penn State didn’t feel the same way. Neither did Pitt. Or West Virginia. Or Syracuse. Kansas State was a school that decided to give him a chance. Eventually, he was able to transfer to Ohio State, but he had a chip on his shoulder at this point. He vowed to prove those other schools they were wrong about him, and I would say he did that in spades. This included a big win over the rival Penn State Nittany Lions that he once so badly wanted to play for. In an interview with Jon Gruden leading up to the draft, it was evident that Howard still has a giant chip on his shoulder. Someone doesn’t believe in him? Good. He’ll work his tail off to prove them wrong. I love that work ethic and attitude, especially in a quarterback. It’s gritty and it’s tough, and it really gels well with the identity of the Steel City.

Something else telling about Will Howard is his draft video. While just a short clip, watching his reaction to hearing his name called on TV with his family was priceless. He and his mom shed some tears and shared a hug while the rest of his family smiled and cheered. He’s blessed to have such a great family to support him, but what was most telling was the pure emotion he showed just from hearing his name called. This guy wants this. He’s passionate about football and wants to work hard. I know it was a short video, but it told me a whole lot of what I needed to know about Will Howard. Sure, he was only a 6th round pick. The expectation is not for him to come in and be the Steelers next franchise quarterback. However, I think his presence in the locker room alone is a win. If he becomes a solid backup? Awesome. If he becomes more than that? Fantastic, although I don’t think anyone is expecting that. Then again, no one was expecting him to transfer to Ohio State and lead them to a national championship. I’m limiting my expectations for the young man and not really holding him to anything, but I’m certainly rooting for him. Hopefully he can earn a spot on the 2025 squad and make a positive impact in some way, shape, or form.